JACKSONS.TV

jacksons.tv: Is the first step for a fighter signing the contract and who is usually involved with the signing?

Ricky Kottenstette: The fighter may sign a contract for a fight or a multi-fight deal depending on the organization. That is one of the first steps before getting to a fight, signing at least a one fight or multi-fight deal with the promoter or organization. The individuals involved with the process of signing a fighter depends on the level of a fighter.  Entry level type fighters will usually get advice from the team and then sign a contract. Middle to upper level fighters have agents and sports management companies that oversee the process. The contract is looked over by attorneys and they will make a decision whether it’s the right move for the fighter and to move forward.

jacksons.tv: After the fighter has signed what needs to happen to get the fighter into camp?

Ricky Kottenstette: It’s really up to the fighter and the coaching staff of when to begin their camp. Some fighters prefer longer camps while other fighters prefer shorter camps. It depends on the notice of the fight and when the fight will be and what is best for that particular fighter. For fighters who are from out of town we first determine what location will be best for them. We have our training facility here (in Albuquerque) as well as our locations that we work together with such as the Grudge Training Facility out of Denver, Colorado with Trevor Whitman and those guys.  We determine which is going to be the best place for the camp. We make sure the fighter gets what he needs to go into battle prepared.

jacksons.tv: How long do training camps usually last?

Ricky Kottenstette: Training camps vary in length.  Sometimes you get short notice on a fight and you only have four weeks to get ready.  Some fighters want eight weeks; some fighters start six weeks out.  It’s really up to the fighter, Greg, Mike Winkeljohn and the other coaches to determine what is best.

jacksons.tv: How do you find sparring partners?

Ricky Kottenstette: The coaching staff usually tries to get similar fighters that will be like the opponent.  South paw versus a right hander, striker, wrestler, jiu-jitsu, the coaches try to pair them up with what they will be facing in fight. They try to give them a much worse look in practice, so they see hard stuff in practice and the hard work is done here in the gym.  Going into the fight is just implementing the game plan with what they have learned in their camp to make sure they become victorious.

jacksons.tv: What else do fighters have to take care of while they prepare for their fight?

Ricky Kottenstette: There is a lot of stuff that the fighters have to get ready. There is a stack of medicals depending if they are with the UFC or another organization as far as MRIs, MRAs (editor’s note: MRA is a Magnetic Resonance Angiography which is a special type of MRI that tests arteries and veins), physicals, EKGs, blood work, ophthalmology exams – there are quite a few things the fighters have to get ready before a fight.  There are also athletic commission licenses and approvals.  It’s not just walking into a fight and saying, “hey, I’m here, I’m ready to go.”
 

jacksons.tv: How do you deal with sponsors and media requests?

Ricky Kottenstette: Most of the time the sponsors and media requests are set up by the fighter’s agent. Obviously everyone wants to have the fighter focus on camp but media is very essential to the fighter’s fan base and fans do want an inside look at what’s happening.  It really depends on the fighter, agent and coaches to try to find a balance together, so as not to overload the fighter before the fight but still taking care of business.

jacksons.tv: How many coaches and support people travel with the fighter?

Ricky Kottenstette: Each fighter has their own preference.  Obviously we have our main core coaches.  Greg is usually always involved and depending on the striking coach or depending who is available.  We have guys who have blood, sweat and tears together – like Donald Cerrone and Leonard Garcia who always are in each other’s corner. It’s really up to the fighter and coaching staff to determine what is going to be the best set up for them psychologically as well as making sure they have all the tools with the game planning to make them successful.

jacksons.tv: Who takes care of all the arrangements to travel to the fight?

Ricky Kottenstette: It depends on where they are traveling to and which organization it is. The bigger organizations have travel coordinators that deal with the agents or with myself at the gym. Basically we try to coordinate the leaving time and all the pre-fight stuff; media interviews, pre-physicals and weigh-ins are all completed to make sure all the necessary steps are taken to get them into the fight.

jacksons.tv: After the fight what are the post-fight activities that occur?

Ricky Kottenstette: As long as everything goes great and no one gets cut - the fighter will have a post-fight physical.  Sometimes for precautionary reasons they will send them to get checked out a little more in depth.  Usually it’s a pretty quick physical and after they leave there they head out and celebrate. Some nights you do have a little bit longer getting checked out depending on how the fight went and how the battle was. It can be a little bit longer.

jacksons.tv: How many times throughout the year do you go through this process?

Ricky Kottenstette: It used to be that we were going through this process every two months but now it’s at the point where it’s happening almost every week.  This is a year round sport, the fastest growing sport in the world.   We have fights the day after Christmas, the day after New Year’s – it’s not like football season where you’re in and out. It’s a constant cycle of doing this over and over again.  It’s a fun job. I can’t complain having to do this day in and day out.

jacksons.tv: Are you always at some stage with some fighter getting them ready to go fight?

Ricky Kottenstette: Between the coaching staff, the agents, the personal assistants and myself – we have a big team.  It doesn’t feel as bad as it sounds. It’s actually fun and we run a big school bus.  We all fit on it and keep working to keep the wheels moving.  We just keep getting everybody ready and we have a great support crew.